Nothing To Fear ....

Unsettling News

      "A few months . Let me think for a sec ... A little over a year , I guess . Why ?" , he responded , beginning to share Ashley's unease .

      "Nicky ...." she began , and then hesitated for several seconds . Taking a deep breath , she continued speaking . "Nicky , Abbie's dead . I heard it from Todd a few months ago ."

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      As the group began the process of dividing up the pile of books they had pulled from the boxes brought back from DC , a sudden crash from the kitchen caught their attention . Looking through the open doorway , they observed Nick Hawley standing in the kitchen , surrounded by the shards of a shattered bowl , with a stunned expression . Faith and Ashley stood nearby , Ashley's arm around Faith , who appeared near tears . 

      "Nicky , are you okay ?" , she inquired . 

      He looked at her silently for a moment , then said , "Uh ... , yeah , I'll be okay , kiddo . I think I'm just gonna go outside for a minute , all right ?" He then turned abruptly and walked out the back door , not even bothering to get his coat from the rack .

      Crane , who was leaning against the divider between the living and dining rooms , excused himself from the rest of the group and made his way to the kitchen . As he approached , he heard Ashley say , "It'll be okay , hon . He just needs some time to process ."

      "Is there something amiss ? Is there something I can do to help ?" , he inquired .

      "We were just talking , and he said ..." , Faith faltered . "I didn't know that they knew each other , and when he mentioned her , I realized that nobody had ..."

      Realization dawned on Crane at that moment . "He wasn't aware of the Leftenant's passing , was he ? He was away , pursuing his quest , and I suppose I thought that Miss Jenny would know how to reach him . But , still ..."

      He let the thought trail away , and placed a comforting hand on Faith's shoulder . "It's quite all right , Miss Faith , I'm sure that Master Hawley knows that you had no intention of being hurtful . I will go and speak to him myself , as there are other events that he should be made aware of , before they , too , are brought up unexpectedly . And this I'll see to myself , as I will not allow the matter to weigh any more heavily on Miss Jenny's shoulders than it already does ."

      He put on his coat , and after plucking Hawley's from the rack , let himself out the back door . Seeing Hawley standing at the far end of the porch , near the spot where Joe had shot the demon the previous night , he approached , and extended the coat toward the other man , who took it with a mumbled thanks .

      After shrugging into the heavy garment , he turned to look at Crane . "How ?" , he inquired .

      "She sacrificed herself to prevent the horrors of Pandora's Box from being unleashed on the world , Master Hawley ." , he replied . "And to stop the return of the Hidden One , who wished to eliminate the human race from the Earth ."

      "Yeah , that sounds like something she'd do ." , Hawley said . "Something you'd do , too , probably ."

      "Have no doubt , Master Hawley , I have made sacrifices of my own in our fight against evil . Mine simply haven't caught up to me as yet ." , Crane stated , reflexively rubbing his wrist , a pained look briefly crossing his face . "And perhaps , if you are so inclined , you could aid us with a ... slight problem . But , that is a discussion best saved for another time . However , there is another matter you should be made aware of , before it , too , is raised in the course of casual conversation ."

      "Whatever it is , I get the feeling it's bad , but go ahead ."

      "Would I be correct in assuming , Master Hawley , that you were also unaware that we lost Master Corbin , as well ?"

      "No, I hadn't heard about that , either . Shit , how did that happen ?"

      "Therein lies the reason I wished to confer privately with you on the matter ." , Crane said solemnly . "Whilst attempting to regain his powers and return himself to our realm , the Hidden One forced Master Corbin back into his Wendigo form . And , as even in his weakened state , the powers of an exiled deity are great indeed , the transformation could not be undone . Thus , Miss Jenny was forced to end his life . I wished to let you know this , in order to avoid distressing her further ."

      "Thanks , I appreciate that . I won't bring it up unless she mentions it first . And I am sorry about Abbie , man . She was definitely pretty special , and I know it was probably as bad for you as it was for Jenny ."

      "Indeed . I still think of her daily , and I believe that , in some ways , she remains with us . But I must admit , I would prefer that it were in a corporeal manner ."

      They turned to go back into the house , and as Crane started to reach for the doorknob , Hawley reached out and caught his arm . "And that 'problem' , you mentioned a few minutes ago ? Whenever you want to get into it , let me know , and I'll be glad to help if I can . You guys really saved my ass when Carmilla tried to turn me into one of those ... things , so I owe you that much , at least ."

      "Thank you , Master Hawley . Your offer is greatly appreciated ."

      Then , as they prepared to step back into the house , they were halted by a feminine voice , coming from the treeline , "Excuse me , guys , but is there any chance that one of you has a phone that works ? Something's really wrong at my house , and I need to get some help ."